My Crybaby Father is the Kingdom's Worst Villain
Chapter 46: Master and Slave… or Something More?

Chapter 46: Master and Slave... or Something More?

Roldan’s silver hair lashed in the wind, his slit-like red eyes glowing with an unholy fire. The stench of rot clung to the air.

"I don’t need your so-called Solum help," he muttered, voice edged with restrained fury. His claws flexed, embers sparking at his fingertips. "You dared to harm someone close to my master. You deserve death."

The figure stood unmoving, their very presence warping the land. Roots writhed unnaturally beneath his feet, the soil blackening where he stepped. Dark spores pulsed in the air like a heartbeat.

"I did what was necessary," the figure rasped, voice dry and brittle, like dead leaves whispering in the wind.

A low growl rumbled in Roldan’s throat. In a blink, he vanished—a streak of silver and fire tearing across the hill. His claws found flesh.

SLASH!

The figure twisted away just in time, Roldan’s strike carving through their cloak, spraying dark ichor onto the ground. But he was relentless—fangs bared, he surged forward again, his sheer speed overwhelming.

The figure extended a hand. The earth lurched. Thorned roots erupted, writhing like hungry serpents. One coiled around Roldan’s wrist, another snared his leg, their barbed thorns digging deep.

Tch. He’s fast. Faster than Roldan expected for someone reeking of decay. He flexed his claws, embers flickering at his fingertips. But fast doesn’t mean strong.

But fire met decay.

With a furious roar, flames engulfed Roldan’s body, incinerating the dark tendrils. He lunged again, claws arcing toward the figure’s throat—

SHHRK!

A barrier of bark and bone exploded from the figure’s chest, intercepting the strike. Roldan’s claws shattered through it, sending the figure skidding back. He barely caught his footing, his breaths ragged.

Roldan smirked. "You’re slowing down."

The figure didn’t reply. Instead, they reached out—blackened energy pulsed through the ground. Behind Roldan, the earth convulsed.

Something massive rose from the soil.

A towering abomination of rotting wood, fused bones, and pulsing tendrils loomed over him, its presence fouling the air.

With a guttural creak, the maisbeast lunged.

Roldan twisted midair, wings snapping open as he blasted forward, slipping past its grasp. In that same instant, he turned sharply—flames roared in his throat.

The world burned.

Fire consumed the creature, turning it into a screeching pyre of writhing limbs. The figure staggered as their connection to it severed. And in that opening—

Roldan struck.

His claw tore through flesh and bone, carving deep into the figure’s shoulder. Black, viscous blood splattered across the charred ground.

"If you kill me, you won’t be able to save him," the figure gasped, stumbling. Vines writhed instinctively, trying to close the wound.

Roldan was already upon him.

"You seem to have forgotten who I am," he growled, smoke curling from his lips.

The figure eyes widened and clenched their teeth.

Then—the ground collapsed beneath him.

A rush of twisting roots and sinking earth swallowed him whole.

Roldan landed, scanning the battlefield, but his foe was gone. Only the faint whisper of leaves remained.

He exhaled sharply, shaking off the lingering stench of rot.

"This isn’t over," he muttered. Not by a long shot.

---

Roldan exhaled sharply, the stench of rot still clinging to the air. He turned slightly, ready to leave, his mind already drifting toward Luzia. He needed to check on her and her father.

But before he could take a step, he felt a presence behind him.

Luzia stood there, arms crossed, golden eyes catching the glow of the dying embers. She had seen everything.

Roldan’s jaw tightened. He hadn’t wanted her to witness this—at least, not like this.

"Why are you here?" Her voice was flat, but there was an unmistakable edge to it, sharper than steel.

Roldan hesitated. "...I was going to check on you. I see you’re fine. I’ll be off."

He turned, ready to leap off the hill—

"Don’t you dare."

Her words cracked like a whip, freezing him mid-step. Then, firmer—"I’m your master, aren’t I? You’d better listen to me."

Roldan remained silent, his red eyes faintly glowing in the moonlight.

"I want the truth," Luzia pressed, stepping forward. "All of it. And if you can’t give me that—" Her tone sharpened, no room for argument. "Then we’re done. I’ll cut ties with you right here and now."

The words struck deeper than any wound.

For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, at last, he turned fully to face her, the fire in his eyes dimming just slightly.

"...You don’t know what you’re asking for, Master."

"I don’t care," Luzia shot back. "Tell me—who the hell are you? And why do you keep calling me Master?"

Roldan stared at her, his expression unreadable. The weight of her demand pressed against him like a vice, but Luzia didn’t waver.

"I’m waiting," she said, voice cold and unwavering.

A low, humorless chuckle escaped him. "You always were stubborn."

Luzia’s eyes narrowed. "And you always dodge questions. Not this time."

Roldan exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. His crimson gaze flickered toward the smoldering remains behind him, then back to her.

"If I tell you..." He hesitated. "You will remember everything."

Luzia stiffened. I will remember everything?

Her mind raced, but before she could speak, he added, his voice barely above a whisper—

"And that is not the will of the Goddess."

---

Luzia’s brow furrowed. "The will of the Goddess?" Her voice was sharp, laced with skepticism. "And what does she have to do with any of this? "

Roldan didn’t answer immediately. His gaze lingered on her, searching for something—hesitation, fear, doubt. He found none.

"You wouldn’t understand," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Luzia scoffed. "Try me. What if I want to remember everything now?"

Roldan’s lips pressed into a thin line. "If you remember now, you will lose everything. Again." His voice was low, edged with something unreadable.

Luzia’s breath caught. Lose everything... again?

A memory stirred—fleeting, fractured. Visions of Ramiro’s death. A past she couldn’t grasp, yet felt hauntingly familiar.

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken truths. Then, at last, Roldan spoke—

"You are not just my master, Luzia." His crimson eyes burned like embers in the dark. "You are the key to everything. That is all I can tell you."

Luzia sighed, stretching out her hand. "Can I at least know your name? I can’t keep calling you silver-haired boy forever."

Roldan smirked, stepping back slightly. "Then just keep calling me that."

She frowned, closing the distance between them. "This isn’t funny." Her fingers wrapped around his arm.

His eyes widened.

At that moment, the scale-like mark on her nape faintly glowed—

And then, a sharp pulse. Like the distant echo of a bell ringing in the back of her mind.

Luzia’s breath hitched. A flicker of something—cold fingers, a voice calling her name in the dark.

She blinked, and it was gone. ’What was that?’

Luzia’s grip tightened. "So if you tell me your name, I’ll remember everything?"

Roldan exhaled. "Yes." His gaze flickered away, a faint flush creeping up his face. "Even coming into contact with me might trigger a memory."

She studied him. "Well, I don’t remember anything new. So maybe you’re just saying this to push me away."

But... for some reason, this feels right.

Roldan clenched his jaw, staring at the sky, his expression clouded.

That damned goddess told me that touching her would trigger a memory... that it could hurt her. But nothing happened.

His fists tightened.

She just wanted me to stay away from Luzia, didn’t she?

Roldan sighed, his gaze settling on Luzia.

Or maybe... the goddess wasn’t trying to keep me away from Luzia. Maybe she was trying to keep me from hurting her.

His eyes darkened in thought. But if touching her doesn’t bring back memories unless I use my abilities... then I can at least tell her my name.

He exhaled. "Call me Roldan."

Luzia blinked, repeating the name under her breath. "Roldan..."

He watched her closely. "Does it ring a bell?"

She tilted her head, considering. Then, with a small shrug, she met his gaze. "Nope. Not one bit."

Roldan let out a quiet sigh of relief. That’s good. I just hope the goddess understands... I can’t stay away from my master anymore. His expression darkened slightly. Not when I don’t have much time left.

Luzia tugged at his arm. "Come with me."

He glanced at her. "To your father?"

"Yes... he needs your help."

Roldan studied her for a moment before offering a small smile. "Alright. Let’s go."

With a snap of his fingers, a silver magic circle flared to life beneath them.

The magic circle pulsed, silver light spiraling upward as the air around them shimmered. In an instant, the world shifted until their feet touched solid ground in front of the camp.

I’ll just sneak in and heal him, Roldan thought, preparing to snap his fingers again.

But before he could, Luzia suddenly grabbed his arm and yanked him toward the entrance. His eyes widened in shock.

Huh?! What is she doing?!

The guards stationed at the entrance were just as stunned. Their hands tightened around their weapons, their expressions flickering between confusion and alarm.

"My lady?!" one of them murmured, eyes darting to the thing she was dragging along.

But before they could react further, they drew their swords in unison, their hesitation vanishing in an instant.

Luzia’s grip on Roldan tightened. "Withdraw your swords!" She snapped, her golden eyes burning with defiance. "He is the only one who can save my father!"